Love and Lavender

GIVEAWAY

KILPACK, JOSI. S.

LOVE AND LAVENDER

A Mayfield Family Romance

Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, Hazel knows marriage is unlikely, so she devotes herself to teaching at a private girls' school.

When her uncle offers Hazel a substantial inheritance if she marries, she is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for money? But when she learns the school might be sold, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale thrives on order and process. He has no interest in marriage, so when Elliott Mayfield, his guardian's brother, offers him an inheritance if he weds, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, an inheritance means he could purchase a building and run his own accounting firm.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, claim their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But then Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must first live together as a couple for one year.

Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

My Review:

Gobsmackingly good and so very different from other Regency Romances! Neurodivergent hero paired with a physically disabled heroine makes for a unique love story. Touching and sweet and absolutely hysterical at times! 

The way Duncan takes things so literally and has no boundaries -- oh my, so many laugh out loud moments!!!! I love the way Hazel accepts him for who he is and quickly learns to adjust to his quirks while he is equally solicitous of her physical limitations. Acceptance plays a huge role in this romance and I love the way the relationship develops. There's a letter writing part in the beginning which was just delightful! And then, when they move in together....all kinds of fun and a wee bit of mayhem!

I really connected with Hazel since she has a disability similar to my own -- not quite the same, but the closest I've seen in fiction. So her struggles with constant pain, difficulty walking, the need for specialty footwear, the feeling of being 'broken' and the fierce push for independence resonated with me. I love the way Duncan finds practical ways to support her and how he introduces faith into her life. 

If you are looking for something a little different that celebrates the extraordinary with a unique perspective, this is the romance for you!

Goal Update: #2 Catch up on a series I'm behind in #5 Diversify my reading

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice. 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love and Lavender, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 4 2022. Offer open to International Readers.

Rakes and Roses

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

KILPACK, JOSI S.

RAKES AND ROSES

A Mayfield Family Romance

Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage, and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make her mark in a man's world. She has friends and purpose, but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over and the friends have gone home to families she will never have.

Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he's a gambler and a rake wh has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord Damion for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly senseless by thugs and left in an ally.

When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the kindness Harry once showed to her six years ago and brings him to her estate to heal. Though their relationship begins on rocky footing, it soon mellows into friendship, then trust. But Lady Sabrina needs to keep Harry at a distance, even if he is becoming the kind of man worthy of her heart. After all, she is keeping a secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything she's so carefully built.

My Review:

published in 2020

What a beautiful redemptive story! There are so many aspects that I did not expect! Kilpack kept stunning me with her unique twists to what I thought was going to be standard Regency fare. A bit daring and unusual for this genre. 

And that starts with the hero and heroine. I don't want to give too much away so I'll just say that Sabrina's back story is heartbreaking but she's cunning and determined enough to have figured out how to make her way in a man's world. But that doesn't mean she's not broken inside. 

And Harry -- oy! He is definitely a rake. A man who embraces all the vices available to men of the ton. And we meet him before he's reformed. In fact, we see him at his weakest and most vulnerable. He has to hit rock bottom before he looks to God for release. I spent the first half of the book cringing over him and the second half swooning! :-)

Captivating and compelling and refreshing.

I listened to the audible edition expertly narrated by Justine Eyre who has fast become one of my favourite narrators. She keeps me spellbound every single time.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy - winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Rakes and Roses, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 4 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Promises and Primroses

GIVEAWAY

KILPACK, JOSI S.
PROMISES AND PRIMROSES

Lord Elliott Mayfield aims to correct the very messy marital mistakes and spousal scandals of his brothers and sisters by requiring his nieces and nephews to choose worthy companions. If they choose wisely, they will receive their generous share of the family's inheritance.

Peter, Elliott's eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can't he stop thinking about her?

Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men -- none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing and increasingly attractive.

But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming between Peter and Julia -- or between herself and Elliott.

Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.

My Review:

Eeeeeepppppp!!! A five fainting couch salute of a read! I'm beyond thrilled over this new-to-me-author discovery and I have my GR friends to thank for that. Noticing new authors in my feed -- especially these Regency ones -- makes me a tad shy of giddy every time I log into Good Reads. So thankful for book sharing friends. :-)

 I'm so twitterpated over this find I can hardly find words to explain why! Taking a deep bracing breath and counting off what I love about Promises and Primroses.

That cover!!!! Isn't it sublime? And it delivers exactly what it promises.

The rich, decadent descriptive prose that is so fitting for this time period. From setting to dialogue, Kilpack's words brought vivid images to my mind. I was a goner from the very first sentence.

Peter is definitely book boyfriend material! He knocked Mr. Darcy right off that pedestal and stomped all over him. (my apologies to Austen fans.) He's just as staid and upright but there's so much more warmth to his character. And....eeeeeppppp....he is dog mad! Nothing like meeting a class conscience gentleman who is obsessed with his pack. lol

 And Julia is perfect for him though neither of them wants to acknowledge that fact. A genteel governess with a backbone of spirited grit. She doesn't make things easy for Peter but then, he's his own worse enemy when it comes to matters of the heart. Love the slow, deliberate way the romance develops. Cue the fainting couches and smelling salts!  There's even a bonus secondary romance too!

I loved that Julia's mother drove me completely mad! I enjoy the cardio workout ranting and raving at a particularly onerous character gives me. :-) And my, but Amelia is stubborn!

And, for those who know that my genre of choice is Christian Fiction, I'm thrilled to report that while Promises and Primroses isn't classified as such, it does have strong message of forgiveness.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Justine Eyre who is absolutely one of my favourite narrators! She brought such vivacity and life to her dramatization. I was in seventh heaven all the way through. Definitely a compulsive listen-in-one-gulp kind of read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Primroses and Promises, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 8 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!